I feed off the ridicule, knowing who I am and who I support; it makes me stand a bit taller, strut prouder, shout louder and open up wider.

Because it intimidates people, makes them feel uncomfortable at the sight of a Melbourne supporter they cannot connect with.

I used to work in a shoebox office with my boss. We were die-hard supporters of Essendon and Melbourne respectively.

Not a day would go past that I would hound him about it, that he was an inferior creature because of his allegiance.

It was cannon fodder, you would think, given that I'm part of a supporter group who haven't seen a flag in half a century and probably couldn't give a rats if we did. The game of football these days doesn't fit in to our perceived conservative culture, right?

"Have you seen a Premiership in your lifetime?" the boss asks.

Who cares. My team is greater than yours.

"Has your Dad seen a Premiership in his lifetime?" the boss continues.

Who cares. My team is still greater than yours.

"How is the snow forecast? Have you dusted off your leather armchair for another season of misery? Remember when we flattened you in 2000?"

It goes over my head. Because my team will always be greater than yours.

It reached a point that whenever the boss had a client in and was discussing the footy, he would introduce me as "a feral Melbourne supporter."

That's what I like to hear. The boss had given in, and was respecting me now.

I can't wait to bare my own son or daughter and teach them about Melbourne.

There's a guy at my work (who supposedly goes for Essendon.. when they're winning), who has made quite an open statement to everyone about not talking to me about the footy in the last couple of weeks, knowing how passionate I am.

He thinks he is respecting me.

This is why I go with my old man. Well, that and the Melbourne-supporting mates I do have are MCC members, while I'm off sitting in the plebs.

Not that I mind the plebs.

HaHaHa, plebs is Fine, & plebs are fun... I reckon... I like the freedom to move about, & engage with the plebs from both tribes.... its nice to blend in..... B)

There's a guy at my work (who supposedly goes for Essendon.. when they're winning), who has made quite an open statement to everyone about not talking to me about the footy in the last couple of weeks, knowing how passionate I am.

He thinks he is respecting me.

HaHaHa, hmmn, what would you, could you expect, from one who barracks for high fliers, & likes to look down on the world from a wing & a prayer.... famous philosophical greek pilot, (Con Descending).

HaHaHa, hmmn, what would you, could you expect, from one who barracks for high fliers, & likes to look down on the world from a wing & a prayer.... famous philosophical greek pilot, (Con Descending).

Could to best of the Day dee-luded.

Keep them coming

I agree with you Deers. I cop heaps of cra p for being a passionate Dees supporter - especially living in Sydney.

My response to this is always, " ... unlike you pr1cks, I have character. I could easily choose another franchise/more successful club to support, but my loyalties can't be bought. And cop a tip - the clubs you support would love to have the core MFC supporters behind them - because we stick behind a club that hasn't exactly given us a lot of joy over the past few decades. Supporters of the Swans, the Toyota Camrys and several other franchises would have skipped the coop long ago if they had to endure our run."

I also say this to kids who support the Dees. Stick in there - it shows character. It's easy to support some cliched club that's always competitive and that all your friends support - it's much harder to show loyalty to a club that isn't quite as cool.

But, at the end of the day, you know who'll have the most respect as a person and a supporter. Gallipoli wasn't exactly a successful invasion - but it did say a lot about Aussie character, and that's why it's now such a celebrated and iconic part of our history.

In much the same way, for all the heat we've endured in this journey, I reckon a lot of people will not resent any success that ultimately comes our way. And it's for this very reason.

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As an aside, whenever a friend of mine has a kid, I give the kid a Demon beanie bear - they're only about 10 bucks. Despite generally having many more expensive fluffy toys in the cot, it's bizarre how many of the kids only want to hold the Demon beanie bear. I'd like to think I'm programming their minds before they even know what's going on. My mates don't particularly like giving their kids anything red & blue, but, because it's a present for their kids (not them), they generally feel obliged to let their kids have the beanie bears. Even if it only converts a few, it'll be worth it.

I agree with you Deers. I cop heaps of cra p for being a passionate Dees supporter - especially living in Sydney.

My response to this is always, " ... unlike you pr1cks, I have character. I could easily choose another franchise/more successful club to support, but my loyalties can't be bought. And cop a tip - the clubs you support would love to have the core MFC supporters behind them - because we stick behind a club that hasn't exactly given us a lot of joy over the past few decades. Supporters of the Swans, the Toyota Camrys and several other franchises would have skipped the coop long ago if they had to endure our run."

I also say this to kids who support the Dees. Stick in there - it shows character. It's easy to support some cliched club that's always competitive and that all your friends support - it's much harder to show loyalty to a club that isn't quite as cool.

But, at the end of the day, you know who'll have the most respect as a person and a supporter. Gallipoli wasn't exactly a successful invasion - but it did say a lot about Aussie character, and that's why it's now such a celebrated and iconic part of our history.

In much the same way, for all the heat we've endured in this journey, I reckon a lot of people will not resent any success that ultimately comes our way. And it's for this very reason.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

As an aside, whenever a friend of mine has a kid, I give the kid a Demon beanie bear - they're only about 10 bucks. Despite generally having many more expensive fluffy toys in the cot, it's bizarre how many of the kids only want to hold the Demon beanie bear. I'd like to think I'm programming their minds before they even know what's going on. My mates don't particularly like giving their kids anything red & blue, but, because it's a present for their kids (not them), they generally feel obliged to let their kids have the beanie bears. Even if it only converts a few, it'll be worth it.

Ron - How often to do take YOUR kids to the football in MELBOURNE?

Now I appreciate you might live in Sydney. Do you?

Ron - How often to do take YOUR kids to the football in MELBOURNE?

Now I appreciate you might live in Sydney. Do you?

cripes now the good Dr. is having a go at Demon supporters who live interstate!

That takes the cake for moi.

cripes now the good Dr. is having a go at Demon supporters who live interstate!

That takes the cake for moi.

don't feed the troll wyl

don't feed the troll wyl

He has had a busy week our Carlscum supporter hasn't he....